Season 6, Episode 32 (Show 294): The Statesman’s Constitution – Special Guest Steven B. Smith
September 2, 2026
Professor Steven B. Smith joins Amarica’s Constitution to discuss his new book, On Statesmanship, and the fascinating way the concept of the statesman interfaces with the Constitution’s great themes.
CLE Credit Available for this episode from podcast.njsba.com.
Originalists venerate the Founders, who were by most reckonings a group of remarkable statesmen. Today, many Americans look seemingly in vain for a statesman worthy of the moment and its challenges. But what is a statesman? Does the U.S. Constitution assume a statesman will be at the helm? Does it enable such a leader, or is it designed to thwart the designs of what Lincoln called the “towering genius?” Acclaimed author and scholar Steven B. Smith joins us from Yale on the occasion of publication of his new book, On Statesmanship, in the first of two fascinating segments on many aspects of this many-faceted concept. And, Andy and Akhil take a look at an important law emerging from the California legislature and awaiting the governor’s signature.
(LAWYERS AND JUDGES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION CREDIT by visiting podcast.njsba.com after listening.)